Little Runs for 259 Yards as Occidental Rolls to Win

The Occidental College football team, which had played only sporadically during its first four games, finally hit its stride Saturday against the University of San Diego.

Led by another sensational performance by freshman tailback Gary Little, Occidental defeated the previously unbeaten Toreros, 23-17, in a nonconference game at Occidental. The victory improved Occidental’s record to 4-1. San Diego is 5-1.

San Diego entered the game ranked fourth in the West region in Division III but was looking for its first victory over Occidental since 1980.

Little, however, foiled the Toreros’ hopes by gaining 259 yards in 30 carries and scoring touchdowns on runs of 76 and four yards.

Trailing, 17-7, at halftime, Occidental pulled to within three points on a one-yard touchdown run by Kevin Vegas with 5:28 left in the third quarter.

Occidental scored the go-ahead touchdown on its next possession on a four-yard run by Little that concluded a seven-play, 63-yard drive.

Occidental nose guard Kelly Bynum sacked San Diego quarterback Brendan Murphy in the end zone with a little more than 1:30 left for a safety that completed the scoring.

“We finally played like we thought we would at the beginning of the season,” Occidental Coach Dale Widolff said. “Our offensive-line play was the key.”

Indeed, the Tigers’ offensive front was blowing holes open for Little, who ran roughshod over a San Diego defense that entered the game surrendering just 77.8 rushing yards a game.

“They (the offensive line) drove them off the ball on every play,” Little said. “It makes it easy for me. I’m just getting more confident every game.”

San Diego jumped to a 17-7 halftime lead on the strength of an offense that moved at will during the Toreros’ first two possessions.

Occidental took the opening kickoff and drove from its 27 to the USD 12. The drive stalled and Mark Collinsworth’s 27-yard field-goal attempt was blocked.

San Diego then drove 80 yards in eight plays, powered by a pair of 15-yard runs by Ty Barksdale and a 17-yard gain by Todd Jackson.

John Eck capped the drive with an eight-yard run that gave the Toreros a 7-0 lead with 7:12 left in the first quarter.

Chas Taumoepeau put San Diego ahead, 14-0, on the Toreros’ next possession when he ran the ball in from one yard to complete a 48-yard drive.

A Little fumble set up that score but Little amended for his miscue with a 76-yard scoring run.